[Editor’s Note: 

Please see: “Construction Project at SRSG” by Pandit Priyadarshan (Pierre Lefebvre) – The largest construction project at Swami Rama Sadhaka Grama in more than a decade.

Please see: “Updates on Renovation at SRSG” by Rabindra Sahu.]

Swami Rama Sadhaka Grama has been said to be the heart center of our beloved Swami Veda Bharati-ji, and embodies his vision for a spiritual home to which our Guru brothers and sisters could return for their sadhana, with their families and children. It has been nearly two decades since it was first realized in brick and mortar.

The buildings, though old, are imbued with stories of every meditation with Swami Ji, of all the Gurukulam lectures, of every teacher in training, of Ma Tara and Sadhakeshwar Mahadeva, of Mother Mary and the Buddha Himself, of joy and laughter, of stillness and silence, and resonate with Swamiji’s voice and the mantras which continue to be strengthened each day.

While the intangibles remain ever fresh, the limitations of matter mean that the old buildings are in need of some repairs now, and as they are being renovated, the ashram looks almost as though it has been temporarily converted into a construction site!

The old dining hall and kitchen now prove inadequate for our growing family. We are rebuilding the kitchen next to the Gurukulam, and the old kitchen and dining hall are being renovated and combined into one big dining hall that may accommodate up to 200 people.

If you have been to the ashram recently, you would probably remember the long and steep gravel pathway between the Mandala office and the Knowledge Center/Dining Hall. That is now being renovated so it has a solid foundation topped with a brick pathway.

Something guests do not always notice is the risk factor with constant soil erosion behind guest cottages 22-30. A retaining wall is being built to fix the problem.

The guest toilets in the main building and next to the dining hall needed serious repairs. We are now reconstructing separate toilets for men and women at both the places. The new toilets in the main building are already fully functional, while the construction is underway for the ones near dining hall.

The global headquarters of the AHYMSIN Office at the ashram needed a new renovated office space, and we have happily moved in already.

During the monsoon season, water would often get into the Shiva Temple and the floor around the temple had sunk. Construction work is underway to strengthen that space, and also to lift Nandi Ji! Our construction contractor – Sh. Dheeraj Bhatia Ji – has been kind enough to sponsor this work himself.

The old garbage disposal unit near the STP was difficult to maintain partly because of its structure and partly because the ground was uneven. It has now been dismantled and the nearby ground has been leveled with soil filling, secured with pillars and a retaining wall up to the STP.

In line with the government requirements and to ensure the safety and security of the ashram, especially with apartment buildings coming up nearby, the ashram will soon be equipped with CCTV cameras.

The immediate plans for further repair and renovations include – renovation of the New Block Building and Sadhana Cottages to stop water leakage, with waterproof rooftops, a brick pathway from the main gate to the Mandala Office, a brick pathway between the guest cottages, a new garbage disposal unit, and the renovated bookstore with a memorabilia section dedicated to our beloved Swami Veda. [Note: Please see photos at the end of this article.]

In order to meet these essential expenses for the maintenance of this peace enclave called Swami Rama Sadhaka Grama, we need your loving support. The current cost of just maintaining the facilities at the ashram (not including all the programs, or any of the repair work) runs at approximately INR 1,800,000 (USD 26,200) per month.

You may decide to give a pledge of whatever amount per year or per quarter. Kindly get in touch with Mayanne Krech for foreign donations and Rabindra Sahu for Indian donations at ahymsin@ahymsin.org.

Yours in service of Gurudeva,
Sadhana Mishra (General Secretary, DMT and AHYMSIN), Rabindra Sahu (General Manager, SRSG)

“The dakshina (love-offering) and seva (selfless service) offered unto the Guru’s Mission, will ensure that the manifest form of this spiritual sanctuary can continue to flourish and serve in line with Swami ji’s vision, while further strengthening one’s unending connection with the Guru Parampara.” – Swami Ritavan Bharati

Footnote: Guru Dakshina / Love Offering by Swami Veda Bharati

Renovation of Old Kitchen and Dining Hall

26 June 2018 – New Kitchen

17 June 2018 – Old Dining Hall Rooftop

5 July 2018 – Old Dining Hall Rooftop

16 July 2018 – Old Dining Hall Rooftop

Pathway from Mandala Office towards Dining Hall

20 July 2018 – New Pathway

Retaining Wall near Guest Cottages 22-30

17 June 2018 – Retaining Wall

22 June 2018 – Retaining Wall

12 July 2018 – Retaining Wall

 Guest Toilets in Main Building

22 May 2018 – New Toilets

21 July 2018 – New Toilets

Shiva Temple

22 June 2018 – Shiva Temple

19 July 2018 – Shiva Temple

Materials for Work